The Wurzels with Tony Blackburn - I Am A Cider Drinker

On 23 April, ‘Scrumpy & Western’ yokel legends The Wurzels will be releasing a new up-tempo version of 1976 hit ‘I Am A Cider Drinker’, with guest vocalist: the one and only Tony Blackburn!

The radio legend was the perfect choice to team up with the West Country Fab Four, having introduced the band’s performance on TOTP 21 years ago.

The single also has a serious side – last year Wurzels co-frontman and accordionist Tommy Banner was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer after going for a random test. After an operation and radiotherapy, he is now back to fighting fitness, and is keen to highlight the importance of testing. The Wurzels and Tony Blackburn will be giving all the royalties from the single to the BUI Prostate Cancer Care Appeal.

The video for ‘..Cider Drinker’ is not to be missed – Tony and the lads party amidst a riot of neckerchiefs, dancing cuddly farmyard animals, milkmaid bosoms, lashings of cider and a massive dose of ooorrrraaggghhh!

Reflecting the band’s Somerset roots, Thatchers Cider have produced a brand new cider in honour of the band; the scrumpilicious ‘Wurzel Me Cider’ will be available nationally, featuring the lads on the label, and with 5p from every bottle sold going directly to the prostate cancer charity.

With a prestigious slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival on Sunday 24 June, the student favourites are going to be the name on everyone’s lips for the must-see knees up experience of the summer.

The band are doing a massive round of radio interviews the week prior to release as well as a major promotional tour the week of release.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Wurzels….

1.. The Wurzels played at Buckingham Palace in the nineties, and the Queen asked for the ‘noise’ to be turned down

2. Pope John stopped the Popemobile to watch the band in Canterbury in October 1982

3. Steve Coogan played Clint Stallone, The Wurzels manager in ‘Thursday Night Fever’

4. British Sea Power released a version of ‘Cider Drinker’ in tribute to The Wurzels (Record of the week in Time Out).

5. Robbie Williams played Wurzels at the start of one of his shows

6. The Wurzels have crowd barriers at their shows to stop constant stage diving.

7. The Wurzels are the Talisman for Bristol City Football Club. The whole of Bristol City sing ‘Drink up the Zider’ when City score

8. The Wurzels have a massive student following

9. The Wurzels last album sold over 70,000 copies

10. ‘Combine Harvester’ sold over a million copies in 1976

So, what do you think? Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!